Jul 26, 2014; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Chiefs wide receiver Darryl Surgent (14) runs after a catch against cornerback Marcus Cooper (31) during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Another day brings another hamstring injury.
Chiefs cornerback Marcus Cooper left Saturday’s practice after experiencing spasms in his hamstring, coach Andy Reid said.
Cooper left Thursday’s practice with a hamstring, but returned Friday before Saturday’s setback.
The second-year cornerback joins a bevy of players currently dealing with hamstring injuries, all of whom missed practice. The list includes running back Charcandrick West, defensive lineman Jermelle Cudjo, and wide receivers Junior Hemingway, A.J. Jenkins and Mark Harrison.
Hemingway, who was set to compete at the slot position, has missed five straight days of practice.
Defensive tackle Kyle Love left Saturday’s practice with an ankle sprain.
All-Pro safety Eric Berry (right heel) did not practice, as expected. The Chiefs will proceed with caution with Berry and Reid indicated it remained to be seen if Berry would play in the team’s first preseason game on Aug. 7.
Defense end Mike Catapano (illness) and tight end Demetrius Harris (personal) were not on the practice field Saturday.
Running back Joe McKnight (knee) and cornerback David Van Dyke (hamstring) remain on the physically unable to perform list. They can’t practice until medically cleared.
Day Nine practice observations
• Wide receiver Kyle Williams, who left Friday’s practice with a hamstring injury, returned Saturday.
• It appears the right guard position is rookie Zach Fulton’s job to lose. Fulton started every 11-on-11 drill with the first-team unit over second-year pro Rishaw Johnson. Saturday marked the fourth straight day Fulton was with the first team during 11-on-11 drills. Johnson has run with the second team.
• The Chiefs passing worked on tip drills during the early portion of practice before going to team-related drills. Each quarterback took turns throwing from around the 40-yard line to three wide receivers located inside the end zone at the right corner.
• The Chiefs offense delighted fans near the end zone with a little razzle-dazzle. Running back Jamaal Charles had the ball on the left side of the field, stopped, and then threw back across the field to quarterback Alex Smith, who was in the end zone. There were no defenders on the field for this play.
• With Marcus Cooper (hamstring) leaving practice, Sean Smith took over at right cornerback. Ron Parker stayed at left cornerback. Smith had an interception, but almost immediately after gave up a touchdown to wide receiver Donnie Avery.
• Rookie wide receiver Albert Wilson saw extensive time at slot wide receiver with the first-team unit during 11-on-11 drills.
• Second-year free safety Malcolm Bronson saw extensive time with the first-team defense during 9-on-9 and 11-on-11 drills alongside Husain Abdullah with Eric Berry (heel) out.
• Rookie safety Daniel Sorensen had back-to-back pass breakups during 11-on-11 drills. Sorensen knocked the ball away from tight end Adam Schiltz on the second play inside the 10-yard line, which immediately drew high-fives and chest bumps from defensive teammates.
• Tight end Travis Kelce turned in a diving over-the-shoulder catch on a pass from quarterback Tyler Bray, who found Kelce coming across the field with Daniel Sorensen in coverage.
• Ryan Succop didn’t kick Saturday, as rookie Cairo Santos saw all the practice time. Coach Andy Reid said after practice Santos and Succop are alternating days, and Succop’s turn is Sunday.
